Aug. 16, 1962
A NATO plane photographs the Soviet passenger ship Khabarovsk en route to Cuba. Soldiers on board hurry on to the top deck, along with the ship's nurses, to give the impression of a spontaneous deck party.
Aug. 17, 1962
U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, shown above, disagrees with CIA chief McCone's belief that the Soviets are installing offensive missiles in Cuba. McNamara claims instead that the military build up is merely defensive. He goes on to warn Kennedy that taking any dramatic measures against Cuba could "hurt the U.S. in the eyes of world opinion."
A U.S. intelligence report also declares that Soviet anti-aircraft fire control radar (WHIFF) has been intercepted near Havana, confirming the presence of anti-aircraft weapons in Cuba.
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